Reviews tagging 'War'

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge

2 reviews

charlie_cheese's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

the grief of figuring out everything too late and the humanity of the other........ great themes in this guy

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, Death, and Alcohol

Moderate: Abandonment, Classism, Gore, Police brutality, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

Minor: War, Body horror, and Forced institutionalization

flyawaytruelove's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It was a light read to me! I was not expecting the change in format; rather than being one solid story, it instead is divided up into short stories that deal with each type of beast. Looking back, I appreciate this format as it helps highlight each type specifically whereas in a typical format, it might be hard to include everyone. 

My favorite type of beast was the Joyous Beasts. I personally thought their lifecycle was the most unique (and maybe a bit horrifying) out of all of them. Heartsick Beasts are a close second. 

I didn't feel like the narrator developed too drastically as the book. There were some points where her behavior felt a bit predictable, but she developed! Maybe as not as I hoped.

Overall, I think it's a good read! It's short and sweet so no harm in trying it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Body horror

Moderate: Alcohol and Abandonment

Minor: War and Vomit